Interaction between human mucins and parasite glycoproteins: the role of lectins and glycosidases in colonization by intestinal protozoa

Authors

  • Angélica Olivo-Díaz Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González” http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0492-1504
  • Joel Martínez-Ocaña Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”
  • Pablo Maravilla Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946202062064

Keywords:

Mucins, Lectins, Glycosidases, Protozoa, Intestinal parasites

Abstract

Intestinal mucins are the first line of defense against microorganisms. Although knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the establishment of intestinal protozoa is limited, there is evidence that these parasites produce lectin-like molecules and glycosidases, that exert both, constitutive and secretory functions, promoting the establishment of these microorganisms. In the present review, we analyse the main interactions between mucins of the host intestine and the four main protozoan parasites in humans and their implications in intestinal colonization. There are lectin-like molecules that contain complex oligosaccharide structures and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), mannose and sialic acid as main components, which are excreted/secreted by Giardia intestinalis, and recognized by the host using mannose-binding lectins (MBL). Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium spp. express the lectin galactose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, which facilitates their adhesion to cells. In Cryptosporidium, the glycoproteins gp30, gp40/15 and gp900 and the glycoprotein lectin CpClec are involved in protozoan adhesion to intestinal cells, forming an adhesion-attack complex. G. intestinalis and E. histolytica can also produce glycosidases such as β-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, α-d-glucosidase, β-d-galactosidase, β-l-fucosidase, α-N-acetyl-d-galactosaminidase and β-mannosidase. In Blastocystis, α-D-mannose, α-D-glucose, GlcNAc, α-D-fucose, chitin and sialic acid that have been identified on their surface. Fucosidases, hexosaminidases and polygalacturonases, which may be involved in the mucin degradation process, have also been described in the Blastocystis secretoma. Similarly, symbiotic coexistence with the intestinal microbiota promotes the survival of parasites facilitating cell invasion and nutrients obtention. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify and characterize more glycosidases, which have been only partially described by in silico analyses of the parasite genome.

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Author Biographies

  • Angélica Olivo-Díaz , Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”

    Departamento de Biología Molecular e Histocompatibilidad, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Ciudad de México, Mexico

  • Joel Martínez-Ocaña, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”

    Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Ciudad de México, Mexico

  • Pablo Maravilla, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”

    Subdirección de Investigación, Ciudad de México, Mexico

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Published

2020-10-07

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Interaction between human mucins and parasite glycoproteins: the role of lectins and glycosidases in colonization by intestinal protozoa. (2020). Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 62, e64. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946202062064